Learning at home and in the classroom can be supported with the help of 1st grade workbooks. As a tool, workbooks can be excellent complementary resources for supporting students’ learning. 

There is a big emphasis on literacy and math in first grade, but students are picking up life skills along the way too! For example, what may just seem like a lesson about telling time is actually math so math workbooks will cover several niche first grade math topics to support different lessons. This overlap also means many skills are learned at the same time. 

That’s why you’ll find that this selection of the best 1st grade workbooks covers a variety of topics and features that are published by teachers working with well-known companies as well as those independently created by educators on their own! In partnership with Teach Simple, whose marketplace is full of educational materials created by actual teachers (plus 50% of all revenues go to them), I found a variety of first grade workbooks that are right up your alley! 

Table of Contents

The Best 1st Grade Workbooks

Best All Around 1st Grade Workbooks

  1. Brain Quest Workbook: Grade 1 From Little Raising

A tried-and-true name in education, Brain Quest offers a variety of wonderful 1st Grade Workbooks for all grade levels. Along with alignment to the Common Core State Standards, this first grade workbook is also written so parents can follow along and help their students. It boasts a ton of fun illustrations and includes a Brain Quest Mini Deck to keep the learning going beyond the worksheets. 

  1. Disney Learning Magical Adventures In First Grade Workbook From Disney Learning

If you’re looking to hook your first grader’s attention with some of their favorite Disney characters, this 1st Grade Workbook has everything you need. You can enjoy the best of Disney without a screen in sight! Along with more than 250 pages of learning activities, the use of the “I can” statement that outlines the learning objectives within this workbook will help grow your student’s mindset and curiosity. 

  1. Reading & Math Jumbo Workbook: Grade 1 By Terry Cooper 

If you want a workbook that is a bit heftier and will give you a lot to work with, this Scholastic workbook is a solid choice. With more than 300 pages of reading and math activities, you can find something for any first grader. It features adorable color illustrations, some pretty cool stickers, and short assessments for you to track your first grader’s progress. 

  1. First Grade Workbooks By Ella Hampton

If you are looking for a workbook that has a little bit of everything, you’ll find it here. Featuring a variety of fun activities, this workbook reinforces tons of skills that your first grader needs including critical thinking skills, reading and writing, math and science, and many other topics too. 

  1. 1st Grade Summer Review – End of Year Cumulative Review By Second Story Window

The summer can lead to a learning slump, which is why it’s good to help kids keep their minds active to hold on to all they’ve learned during the academic year. This awesome workbook covers all the essential math and literacy topics that your student will need as they move up to 2nd grade. 

Best Language Arts 1st Grade Workbooks

  1. Grammar and Writing Skills 1 Printable Workbook By Twin Sisters Digital Media

This printable workbook includes:

• Parent Tips

• Hands-on activities and challenges in topics such as:

• Nouns

• Plurals

• Verbs

• Am, Are, Is

• Has and Have

  1. Sight Words And Spelling Workbook For Kids Ages 6-8 By Modern Kid Press

Reading and phonics are important parts of 1st grade learning, and this adorable 1st grade workbook is great for practice. It focuses on sight words and spelling with beautiful illustrations to keep your kids engaged. One thing that makes this workbook stand out is the sizing of the worksheets: great for tiny hands and big handwriting. 

  1. Handwriting Practice Book For Kids (Silly Sentences): Penmanship And Writing Workbook By Modern Kid Press 

Handwriting and penmanship is a huge part of success for little kids in the classroom. This handwriting practice 1st grade workbook is cute, silly, and makes the work of learning and practicing handwriting just a bit more engaging. It’s also available in spiral bound and paperback, but keep in mind that if you’ve got yourself a little lefty, they may struggle with the sprialbound option. 

  1. Scholastic Success With Grammar, Grade 1  By Scholastic

Everyone knows that when it comes to literacy and learning, Scholastic is a go-to. This grammar-focused workbook supports students’ literacy journey with illustrated grammar practice. It breaks down basic grammatical concepts into easy-to-understand activities. All the essentials, like parts of speech and punctuation, are covered in this classic 1st grade workbook too.

  1. Dr. Seuss Workbook: Grade 1: 260+ Fun Activities With Stickers And More! By Dr. Seuss 

This 1st Grade Workbook is chock full of activities and practice for your first grader. It cleverly covers a variety of areas including loads of literacy, spelling, and reading. It features math content, science, and even social-emotional learning too. Beyond the worksheets, you will find a variety of reward stickers to celebrate your little one’s accomplishments and progress. 

  1. Color By Sight Words First Grade Workbook Ages 6-7 By Ready Prep Grow 

Sight words are important to foundational literacy. What is a better way to work on sight words than to do it with some coloring? Featuring 200 sight words and a variety of different cute cartoons, this is a fun and productive workbook to keep on hand for 1st graders who are learning to read.

Best Math 1st Grade Workbooks

  1. My First Grade Math Workbook By Lena Attree

This 1st Grade Workbook is loaded with a variety of worksheets covering a wide range of math concepts from basic arithmetic into more complex, critical thinking tasks. This colorful book boasts bright colors, engaging illustrations, and fun activities to support your first grader in their learning.

  1. Math Workbook – Grade 1 By Classroom Complete Press

This workbook provides practice across all first grade mathematics skills. An emphasis is placed on understanding number quantity and on addition and subtraction through ten. The pages of this printable 1st grade workbook are presented in a suggested order, but may be used in any order which best meets a child’s needs. 

  1. 1st Grade Jumbo Math Success Workbook: 3 Books In 1 By Sylvan Learning 

Another trusted name in education that relies on the expertise of real teachers is Sylvan Learning, and this 3-in-1 combo workbook is a great option. Covering a ton of math concepts from telling time and counting money to basic geometry, patterns, and more—there is something for every student. 

  1. 36 Weeks Of Math Riddles For 1st Grade From Wife Teacher Mommy

Looking to make math a little more engaging? This printable workbook of math riddles will do the trick. Engage your students in a variety of math exercises and help keep their critical thinking skills sharp with the added bonus of riddles. 

  1. Addition And Subtraction 1-18 Printable Workbook By Twin Sisters Digital Media

Reviewed, evaluated, edited, and creatively written by teaching professionals, this addition and subtraction printable workbook implements current teaching strategies and aligns with grade-level standards of teaching simple addition and subtraction. 

Some topics include:

• Simple Addition with numbers 1-18

• Simple subtraction with numbers 1-18

• Following directions

• Matching, coloring, drawing, and more!

  1. Math Grade 1: Comprehensive Skills Practice Test By Twin Sisters Digital Media

This 1st grade workbook provides practice for these essential skills:

  • Addition and Subtraction Facts to 18
  • Adding Three Numbers
  • Number Sentences
  • Two- and Three-Dimensional Shapes
  • Picture Graphs and Bar Graphs
  • Place Value (Tens and Ones)
  • Two-Digit Addition and Subtraction
  • Odd and Even Numbers
  • Less Than and Greater Than
  • Ordinal Numbers
  • Skip Counting and Number Patterns
  • Money Word Problems
  • Time Measurement

Best Reading Workbooks For 1st Grade

  1. Grade 1: Reading Comprehension Volume 1 Printable Workbook By Twin Sisters Digital Media

This Reading Comprehension Grade 1 digital resource focuses on learning about essential language skills. With 20 printable worksheets featuring matching, tracing, writing, and coloring activities, your child can complete the activities again and again until they have learned the skills. This is an outstanding 1st Grade Workbook!

This printable resource includes:

• Five short stories with story clues and simple questions to test comprehension

• Word families with –own

  1. Reading Comprehension Printable Workbook For Grade 1 By Twin Sisters Digital Media

This quick printable workbook helps 1st graders hone in on their reading comprehension. It also provides excellent preparation for standardized testing and focuses on topics like:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Main Idea
  • Inferences
  • Sequence
  • Story Map

Best Science First Grade Workbooks

  1. STEM Workbook – Grade 1 By Ready-Ed Publications

This STEM Workbook was designed for 1st grade students and is filled with a variety of activities for students to learn, explore, and experiment. There are 4 main sections: living things and our night sky; materials, light and sound; design challenges; and paper bag pairs.

  1. DK Workbooks: Science, First Grade: Learn And Explore By DK 

Science is practically magic for kids, and this DK workbook covers everything from fossils to the human body and beyond. There is a huge range of scientific topics and activities to support your 1st grader’s interests and development of scientific skills.

  1. My First Science Experiments Workbook: Scholastic Early Learners By Scholastic

We all know that science is all around us—from magnets on the fridge to the way water in the tub forms a whirlpool. Help your 1st grader see the wonders of science with this fun, informative science 1st grade workbook that features hundreds of pages of fun and exciting experiments you can do at home, a variety of STEM activities, and stickers too!  

Best Money 1st Grade Workbooks

  1. Money Review Printable Workbook By Twin Sisters Digital Media

This Grade 1 workbook includes activities about adding and subtracting U.S. money. With only 13 pages, it’s easy to print and use to supplement your lessons on coins and money with some real practice examples and activities.

  1. Kids Financial Workbook By Doctor Finances

Another great way to reinforce math skills for your student is through the lens of financial literacy. It might seem a little early, but using money and currency as a tool for learning math is a fantastic way to help build strong financial literacy from a young age and make sure the math skills that good money managers need are there too. 

Best Geography 1st Grade Workbook

  1. DK 1st Grade Workbooks: Geography, First Grade: Learn And Explore By

Even our youngest learners want to explore the world. That’s why this geography workbook is the perfect, age-appropriate introduction to basic geography. There are illustrations to help support learning, activities covering simple geography facts, and more complex looks into the physical layout of our global world! 

Best Emotional Learning 1st Grade Workbook

  1. All About Me Workbook From Moment In Motherhood

A mini-workbook that will help your little one learn important information about themselves, their family, and more. From family background to their address, you’ll get it all with this resource! 

  1. The Peaceful Kid Strong Mindful Mantra Handwriting Workbook By Funky Crunchy Mama

Teaching children from a young age to be present in the moment and focused on what they can control is the best way to raise happy, healthy children. This workbook blends kid-friendly mindfulness practices and handwriting practice together. 

Best History 1st Grade Workbook

  1. United States Presidents: Activity And Reading Comprehension Workbook By Disrupt The Cycle

Introduce history, blend in reading, and give your student a headstart on understanding the governmental foundations of the U.S. all in one place? This workbook makes it possible. A mix of multiple disciplines, you can read and learn about U.S. president in this fun workbook that features tons of activities and kid-friendly history!

Best Time 1st Grade Workbook

  1. Telling Time Workbook By Discover Learning

Telling time is an essential skill that first graders will learn all about. With this workbook, you can support your student in telling time and support their mathematics education at the same time. They’ll work on deciphering the clock face and learning the standard increments used to tell time as they work through this book.

Best ELA Workbook for 1st Grade

  1. First Grade ELA: Literacy & Writing Workbook From That Little Robot

This workbook set consists of a variety of literacy and writing focused practice. The funny, cute, and absolutely engaging worksheets are certain to keep any first graded engaged. Featuring some silly topics and adorable illustrations, this is a great option to support your learner’s literacy journey! 

1st Grade Workbooks FAQ

Are Summer 1st Grade Workbooks Good for Kids?

Kids are prone to losing their academic gains over the summer due to what is often referred to as the “summer slide.” Students who engage in tasks to keep their minds active, like summer workbook work, are more likely to retain what they have learned in the last academic year. They may also show gains when they enter the next grade. Summer 1st grade workbooks are a great idea!

What Should My Child Be Reading in 1st Grade?

Your first grade child should be engaging with texts that are appropriate for their reading level and that are engaging. Children who are presented with texts that interest them are more likely to keep up with their reading. Does this mean you should only read books on a single topic? Of course not! 
Provide them with a variety of texts on various topics. This will help your student be able to automatically identify sight words, discern functional texts from informational texts, and be able to navigate the structures of a text. They’ll know what a period indicates vs. a question mark, for example. You can make sure you’re offering your kid appropriate reading tasks by using any of the 1st grade workbooks featured above! 

About the Author

Ali Pierce has been a proud public school teacher for nearly a decade. An English teacher by day, Ali works with educators throughout K-12 in a variety of coaching and support roles. A proud Wildcat, Ali earned both her BA in Creative Writing and M.Ed. in Teaching and Teacher Education from the University of Arizona. When not teaching, Ali can be found hanging out with her two young sons and sneaking in some reading for fun.